City of Kansas City, MO

10/14/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/14/2021 09:18

Boots on, plows down: KCMO preps for snow season

NEWS RELEASE

Snow season is around the corner and KCMO snow plow drivers are getting ready to roll when the first storm hits. Today, at business session our Snow Team leadership will update the City Council about winter preparations this year, including training sessions that start this weekend for new drivers.

Last year the city delivered several key revisions to the snow removal operation plan, including:

  • Full curb to curb plowing on residential streets
  • Snow removal operations 24 hours a day
  • Adding 50 snow removal trucks and 100 additional drivers to snow operations
  • More aggressive use of salting before anticipated snow events
  • Deployment of "ice ban", a more effective ice melting product that works at lower temperatures and is less corrosive and harmful to the environment
  • Improved department coordination and communication, adding a daily Snow Team meeting during storms to discuss operations.

The KCMO Snow Team used the summer months to create an even better staffed and equipped snow operation. Highlights include several key things that will make this the most successful snow season yet:

  • 370 drivers (and counting) with cross-department collaboration from six departments
  • 31 new trucks in the snow fleet
  • 40,000 tons of salt across the city's five salt domes and 10,000 in reserves for 2022
  • 20,000 gallons of calcium chloride
  • 1,200 tons of Ice Ban pre-mixed salt, reserved for super cold temperatures
  • New truck technology in snowplows to help drivers with routing and to provide real time locations for all snow removal vehicles
  • One additional salt dome is in the process of being delivered

"We made many important and urgent improvements to our snow removal operation last year, and we will continue to build upon that momentum and success this year," said City Manager Brian Platt.

"We are feeling confident heading into this snow season with the investments we've made in equipment, technology, materials and the additional staff available to plow snow," said Michael Shaw, Public Works Director. "We look forward to rolling out these improvements when the first snow hits and continuing to provide and improve these basic services in every neighborhood."

Snow training begins this weekend, with orientation for new drivers, mounting snow equipment on trucks and practicing plow routes. Crews will also continue other winter preparations over the next few weeks like filling salt domes, cleaning trucks and equipment, and installing plows and spreaders on trucks.

Follow along this snow season at KCMO.gov/snow or check real-time snowplow activity at kcmo.gov/snowmap

Join the KCMO Snow Team! Public Works is hiring - for more information and to apply online, view the Maintenance Worker position.

You can also apply in person at City Hall, 414 East 12th Street, 12th floor, Human Resources Department or attend the upcoming Public Works Hiring Fair on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Mohart Center, 3200 Wayne Ave.

We are hiring for other important jobs as well, so visit KCMO.gov/jobs to find your next career position.

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Note to reporters: Media can contact Maggie Green, Media Relations Manager, at 816-379-6562. A separate media advisory will be released tomorrow with more information for interviews and a b-roll opportunity this Saturday.